NEW BOOK PILL-ORIES JFK JR.

New York Post ^ | 7/03/03 | BILL HOFFMANN

[Cacophonous]

There IS undoubtedly, a very small percentage of kids for whom it is appropriate. But when as much as 10% of schoolchildren are being given ritalin (or something similar), it is a problem.

[babble-on]

10% would be appalling, I agree.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Sorry, I can be a little esoteric. I hate generaliztions. We are on the same side.

[xsmommy]

i have a 9 year old daughter on Ritalin for ADD. there really IS such a thing, and to state in absolutes that there ISN'T and that any parent giving their child a drug such as this is a bad parent is just ridiculous and doesn't even merit the rant that Flurry gave.

my daughter is in private school, she has been thoroughly evaluated by a number of medical professionals, the school was NEVER even informed that she was on the drug by us or anyone else. she is NOT a discipline problem, her problem is inability to attend. that is the difference between ADD, attention deficit disorder and ADHD, which includes hyperactivity. People who argue in absolutes deserve no credence.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I guess the poor guy cannot counter argue this from his grave (I believe it's the Atlantic Ocean) so maybe we just ought to drop it. I think it sucks when things come out on people after they are dead and they cannot speak up for themselves. I dont care if the guy was a dummocrat or whatever.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Go girl.

[Cacophonous]

I've never denied it is a legitimate problem, and would certainly never claim that you are anything other than a terrific mother. My point is that it is overdiagnosed, and over-prescribed.

And in the case of JFK Jr, (and I'll admit, he offended me less than most Kennedys) it seems to blame behavior such as his on anything other than the trauma he and his family endured is quackery.

[Conspiracy Guy]

JJ Ping

[xsmommy]

i can agree with that, and you weren't the one that took the absolute stand, so i apologize, but i just happened to respond to your post. it just irks me no end to read the people opining on the ritalin threads as if it was from the antiChrist and malevolent lazy parents who let their kids run amok are the ones doping their kids. it is ignorance plain and simple, and they likely know JACK about ADD and what helps it and what doesn't.

[Laura Earl]

Preach on.....

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Flurry you failed to provide a response to this generalizaion:

There is no, and I mean absolutely "NO" standard diagnosis or symptoms that can be classified as ADD.

Now run off to the shelf and get "mommy's little helper" 'cause after all "things are different today."

With Jimmy Valentine you get two for the price of one.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

Well, I thought his magazine George was very innovative. It's spawned countless successful imitations.

[Jimmy Valentine]

I cordially invite you to save your apologies for those that need them. Your statement (after the personal hit) goes off the rails when you use the phrase "properly diagnosed". That is the issue. There is no and I repeat "NO" standard diagnosis that defines the condition known as "ADD".

Quality teaching and parental guidance with children who are disinterested or who have short attention spans (I was one) are the proper solutions not, "NOT" narcotics. Yes it is difficult; yes I am sympathetic to the trials of parents with such children. Drugs are not the answer.

Regards,

[Conspiracy Guy]

I have no argument with that statement. I do take great exception with the BAD PARENT rant. Learn to read and call me back.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Your use of absolutes invalidates your argument. You obivously have a comprenhension problem. Maybe you need Ritalin.

[Howlin]

John Jr. "remained on Ritalin for the rest of his life" after a doctor diagnosed him with the ADD and dyslexia and prescribed it after his dad's assassination, writes Edward Klein, author of "The Kennedy Curse." In an advance copy, Klein reveals that following the Nov. 22, 1963, tragedy, John Jr. became restless, easily bored and disruptive in school.

Good grief......he was barely THREE YEARS OLD........couldn't they have WAITED???????

[Conspiracy Guy]

I aint got much time today but the Valentine boys want to gang up. Rip em one and I'll check back later.

[fightu4it]

Kicks just keep getting harder to find.

[Cacophonous]

Well...diagnosing him with ADD because he was restless, bored and disruptive. Aside from sounding like every normal three-year old I've ever known...HIS DAD WAS ASSASSINATED. I think that might have had something to do with his behavior, not some "condition". How about conseling with a priest?

[onyx]

No offense intended to anyone, but from the lips of my psychiatrist husband to my typing fingers:

ADD is an over-used and vague description for hyperactivity in children. He does not treat children. His practice is limited to only adults. His associate, IS a children's psychiatrist and "rarely" prescribes Ritilan or any other drug to children.

AADD (the adult version) is bogus. NO such thing. Adults complaining of similar symtoms of those voiced by parents of hyperactive children, are treated for depression and its many variants.

Hyperactive children "often" (NOT always, NOT even as a rule) have either a mother prone to hystrionic behavior or a father prone to sociopathic behavior, or a combination thereof.

In other words, in children, it's genetic. Not the fault of bad or less than perfect parenting!

Ritilan is the most over-prescribed "dangerous drug" since it's primarily given to children and therefore, any psychiatrist worth his medical degree should prescribe the drug "rarely" and monitor it with "extreme care and diligence."

---

The quack who diagnosed JFK Jr. should be shot. The parent who kept him on Ritilan probably used it herself to stay so damn thin. (My opinion, not my husband's).


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